Effects of Balance Training with Various Dual-Task Conditions on Stroke Patients

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effects of motor dual-task training (MDT), cognitive dual-task training (CDT), and motor and cognitive dual-task training (MCDT) on balance and daily living abilities of stroke patients. In addition, the relationships among assessment tools such as center of pressure (COP), Korean version of Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were investigated. [Subjects and Method] Thirty-eight stroke patients were randomly allocated to a MDT group, a CDT group, and a MCDT group, and training was performed three times a week for six weeks. The patients' balance was assessed with the mean area of COP movement and K-BBS, and the daily living abilities were evaluated with FIM before and after the training. [Results] Post-training, a significant difference in COP was found in each of the three groups, and between the CDT group and the MCDT group. K-BBS and FIM also showed a significant difference in each of the three groups, and comparison among the three groups showed that the improvement in the MCDT group was significantly better than those of the other two groups. Highly negative correlations were found between COP and K-BBS and between COP and FIM (r=—0.960, —0.874, respectively), and a highly positive correlation was found between K-BBS and FIM (r=0.870). [Conclusion] For effective training of balance and daily living abilities for stroke patients, it is more effective to implement both motor and cognitive dual-tasks than motor or cognitive dual-tasks alone.